Immortal of the Nine Realms

Xia Yunxin held a green-bladed sword in her hand and strode into the Hidden Guard Division, cutting a heroic and spirited figure.

”Young Lady Yunxin is back? Did this mission go smoothly?”

Xia Yunxin’s lips curved slightly. She gave a nod. ”It went well.”

She quickly noticed that many people from the Hidden Guard Division were missing, while others were hurrying about. Surprised, she grabbed someone and asked, ”Is the Hidden Guard Division carrying out some major operation? Why does everyone seem so rushed?”

The person Xia Yunxin grabbed knew that she and Monarch Xia were close, and that her background was anything but ordinary. Thus, he didn’t dare ignore her despite her low cultivation.

He answered, ”Young Lady Yunxin, right now all the major Monarchs of the Underworld Official Divisions are gathered here discussing an important matter, and a mobilization order has been issued. Aside from a few who remained to maintain the minimum staffing in each division, everyone else had to put aside their current work and follow the deployment. Before you returned, a batch of colleagues had already set out for the Mortal Realm.”

Xia Yunxin gasped in shock. She hastily pressed on, ”What happened to require all the division Monarchs to deliberate together and mobilize so much manpower?”

The man gave a bitter smile. ”I am not sure, but I’ve heard some rumors that a demonic calamity has befallen the Mortal Realm...”

”A demonic calamity?” Xia Yunxin was astonished. ”The Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations have existed since ancient times. Is that really worth the Underworld intervening?

Besides, even if we wanted to intervene, we wouldn’t have the ability. Wandering souls can’t interact with anything in the Mortal Realm...”

”Well... about that...” The man lowered his voice. ”Colleagues from other places are heading toward the capital, and those stationed there... had already received an edict earlier. Monarch Fang conferred titles on all of us. He said that after the conferment, we could even converse with people in the Mortal Realm.”

”Monarch Fang?”

My cousin?

Xia Yunxin was pleasantly surprised. ”Where is Monarch Fang now?”

”He already left before you returned.”

”He left already...”

Xia Yunxin let him go and hurried toward the Hidden Guard Division’s conference hall.

Whenever there was a major meeting, it was held there, so Xia Ji would definitely be there.

***

The Conference Hall.

Xia Ji’s gaze swept over the faces of the Division Monarchs one by one: Shen Tucang of the Yin Walker Division, Qiu Jing of the Nether Guards Division, Jiang Yushu of the Judgment Division, Qi Tianran of the Underworld Official Division, Kong Jin of the Soul Capturing Division, Marshal Xiao Lang of the Killing Spiritual Division, and Xing Jintuo of the Martial God Division.

There were also several important Underworld Monarchs, such as Du Yunxu of the Day Walker lineage and Jing Xue of the Night Walker lineage.

”Everyone, have you all clearly understood what was just said? I hope you can each repeat the key points of this mission’s announcement,” said Xia Ji, smiling. ”It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just that this matter is too important, so we must be extra cautious.”

He looked toward Xing Jintuo of the Martial God Division. ”Monarch Xing, you go first.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Xing Jintuo. Who didn’t know that he was a martial fanatic who rarely involved himself in the daily affairs of the Martial God Division?

Xing Jintuo frowned, his expression grave. ”Although I only care about martial arts, that doesn’t mean I don’t have a brain. First, each Monarch will temporarily lead their subordinates within their assigned jurisdictions to publicize the demonic calamity to the cultivation world in the Mortal Realm.

”Second, persuasion should be the primary approach. However, if someone is obstinate, force may be used when necessary.

”Third, during the demonic calamity, each Monarch must keep a close watch on their jurisdiction. Any unusual movement must be reported immediately. Fourth, under no circumstances are we to reveal our origins or backgrounds.”

Xia Ji clapped. ”Excellent!”

Sparse applause echoed through the hall.

Xia Ji nodded with a smile. ”That’s it for now. This matter has an enormous impact. Even that person had to carry out large-scale conferments. I trust you all understand the gravity of the situation.”

Everyone’s mood grew heavy.

From the hurried arrival and departure of that figure after conferring titles across the capital, it was clear how grave the situation was.

Still, some doubts lingered in their minds.

Shen Tucang asked, ”Lord Xia, this demonic calamity... what exactly is its origin? Is it truly as you say, that once it occurs, no one in an entire region can avoid it? That both cultivators and mortals alike will be swept up in it?”

”If I could figure that out, I wouldn’t be standing here right now. Don’t ask unnecessary questions. Just do your jobs.” Xia Ji waved his hand. ”There’s one more matter that needs to be carried out simultaneously—the establishment of the Demon Suppressing Division. Personally, I think Du Yunxu and Jing Xue are suitable to serve as the Monarchs of the Demon Suppressing Division. Let’s put it to a vote today. Once approved, each division will transfer some personnel to it. When things stabilize, this matter will fall entirely under the Demon Suppressing Division, and we’ll return to our previous division of labor.”

Everyone raised their hands one after another, approving Xia Ji’s proposal.

”This does seem more suited to the Day Walker and Night Walker lineages.”

”Our Underworld Official Division can provide auxiliary support.”

After the meeting ended, the Division Monarchs hurriedly departed. When they encountered Xia Yunxin at the entrance, they all greeted her warmly and kindly.

Xia Yunxin returned the greetings with repeated bows, then entered the conference hall and looked at Xia Ji.

”Brother, what happened?”

”A major matter. You came back at just the right time. Come with me to see your cousin. We’ll talk on the way.”

***

At the region corresponding to Hujiao City, Fang Chen, accompanied by Ghost Mother of Self Transformation and Little Black, had spent some time observing and finally confirmed that the previously collected data was accurate.

”The chance of success is only ten percent, and the vast majority are mortals. Even if their past lives were significant, they’ll still need time to cultivate again,” muttered Fang Chen.

He mused, ”The Saint Son chose to conduct this experiment in the Lower Six Realms, which shows he doesn’t want the cultivators of the Upper Three Realms to notice. If the top forces of the Upper Three Realms learned of this, they would certainly intervene. No ninth-transformation immortal would allow such a demonic calamity to manifest.

”But this experiment seems somewhat rushed. Is it because the awakening probability can’t be raised any further, or... do they feel time is running short and need to accelerate the pace of seizing the Nine Mortal Realms?

”Either way, it won’t pose an effective threat in the short term. So that Saint Son must also know this isn’t a short-term project but an ultra-long-term one. Perhaps he’s given himself thousands, even tens of thousands, of years.”

Thinking about it, Fang Chen felt somewhat reassured. With that much time, he was confident he could break through to become a ninth-transformation immortal himself. Once he reached that level of cultivation, he could personally enter the fray and not only provide support from the shadows.

The opponent had no further reinforcements anyway. They were only a bunch of ninth-transformation True Demons. It was still uncertain who would prevail in the end.

Fang Chen’s reasoning wasn’t baseless. He had historical evidence. Ever since he learned that the Nine Mortal Realms had once been ruled by the demon race, he had begun gathering information. It seemed that in an ancient era, humans and demons had engaged in fierce conflict and stood in opposition for a long time, a period lasting tens of thousands of years. Yet, today, the two races coexist in relative peace, and the demons’ foundation was less than one ten-thousandth of humanity.

Xia Ji arrived with Xia Yunxin.

”Cousin,” called out Xia Yunxin cheerfully.

”Fang Da, Yunxin hasn’t seen you in a long time. She just happened to be back, so I brought her to see you.”

Fang Chen chatted with her for a while, offered some encouragement, then once again departed with the Ghost Mother of Self Transformation.

”Cousin is far too busy...” Xia Yunxin muttered softly.

Xia Ji smiled. ”I’ll take you around and show you the damage caused by this demonic calamity.”

Xia Yunxin’s expression grew a shade more solemn. ”Alright...”